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  • C-21 aircraft crashes at Decatur, Ill. airport

    An Air Force Flight Standards Agency C-21 crashed at approximately 11:30 a.m. today at the Decatur, Ill. airport.The aircraft, based out of Will Rogers Air Guard Station in Oklahoma City, was performing touch-and-go training at the airport. The two pilots on board the aircraft are being held at a

  • JPAC team sheds light on missing crewmembers

    An 18-member recovery team from the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command here returned Oct. 1 from Vostenhof, Austria, following its attempt to recover remains from two individuals who went down with a B-17 bomber during World War II.On May 10, 1944, U.S. Army Air Force pilot 1st Lt. Stanley Dwyer and

  • Laughlin Airmen become Baron barnstormers for day

    Oct. 2 was far from a typical day for one Airman whose normal routine includes drawing blood and trying not to make children cry in the process. When Senior Airman Robert Arrington, a medical lab technician with the 47th Medical Support Squadron was told he'd been selected to fly with the Red Baron

  • Museum breaks ground for World War II hangar

    Members of the Museum of Aviation Foundation put shovels in the ground Sept. 29 to ceremonially begin construction of a new hangar filled with exhibits on World War II."We know firsthand the heartfelt commitment of Middle Georgia to the United States Air Force and to all of our military forces,"

  • Ceremony brings historic 23rd Wing to Moody

    The 347th Rescue Wing was officially re-designated as the 23rd Wing during a ceremony at 8:23 a.m. here Sept. 29.The ceremony culminated several recent changes to Moody's wing, including the assimilation of the 23rd Fighter Group at Pope Air Force Base, N.C., and Moody's 820th Security Forces Group.

  • AFMC seeks to streamline test, evaluation processes

    If changes to the test and evaluation phases of new concept cars would improve mass production processes and reduce recalls, wouldn't it make sense for an auto manufacturer to spend $1 now if it meant saving $10 later? Officials at Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command think so and are applying

  • CENTAF releases airpower summaries for Sept. 30 to Oct. 2

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Sept. 30 through Oct. 2.Sept. 30In Afghanistan Sept. 29, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs, a B-1 Lancer and Royal Air Force Harrier GR-7s provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists

  • Siblings honor brother's sacrifice

    At a small rural church 10 miles from here, friends and family members gathered to honor 1st Lt. Bruce Sweney, an Air Force reconnaissance pilot who was shot down over North Korea Oct. 2, 1951. By all accounts the day was perfect for a memorial service -- bright sunny skies for the flyover, an Air

  • Koa Lightning sharpens B-52 aircrews' war fighting skills

    The B-52 aircrews of the 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, deployed from the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., are keeping their war fighting skills sharp as part of the United States' continuous bomber presence in the Pacific region. A highlight of the "Barons" first 30 days at Andersen

  • 55th Wing fulfills mission tasks from borrowed airfield

    Every day nearly 450 Airmen from the 55th Wing take the bus to work -- making an hour-long ride that takes them 50 miles away from Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. The wing moved airfield operations and support agencies to the Lincoln Air Park ramp in May to continue flying missions remotely while

  • F-4 Phantom shares road with cars in Japan

    An aircraft sharing the street with cars is a rare sight. But if you've ever wondered how display aircraft get to where they are, that's exactly what may happen.Roads had to be closed and several people were needed to walk with a retired F-4 Phantom here Sept. 27 to help ensure it arrived safely at

  • Weather agency helps commanders with mission decisions

    Before flying to support ground forces or attack a target, Air Force and Army pilots run through a lengthy preflight checklist. Getting a go from Air Force weather forecasters is on the list twice. The meteorological data used by combat weather forecasters is collected by the Air Force Weather

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Sept. 29

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Sept. 29.In Afghanistan Sept. 28, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs, provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Enjar Ghar. The A-10s made passes and expended cannon rounds.

  • Yokota shares its sky with Japanese airliners

    Traveling can be a hectic task, but officials here are helping ease the stress and headaches of today's travelers. The Road Map to Realignment is a group of initiatives designed to help future operations between U.S. and Japanese forces. One of the initiatives under this agreement is changing Yokota

  • Air Force will get new bomber, upgrades to fighters

    The Air Force is looking to get a "next generation" long-range bomber by 2018, according to the commander of Air Combat Command. During the Air Force Association's 2006 Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition here Sept. 27, Gen. Ronald E. Keys, the ACC commander, told reporters the

  • F-35 centerpiece for international partnership

    The F-35 Lightning II aircraft brings new capability to the Air Force, but also serves as a centerpiece for international cooperation. During the Air Force Association's 2006 Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition here Sept. 26, Brig. Gen. Charles R. Davis, deputy program executive

  • Last U.S. servicemembers to leave Iceland Sept. 30

    A 65-year segment of history ends Sept. 30, when the last American servicemembers based in Iceland will leave the country. U.S. servicemembers will continue to work with, train with and operate with their NATO ally, but troops will not be based in the island nation, said Thomas F. Hall, assistant

  • 23rd 'Flying Tigers' to become host wing at Moody

    The "Flying Tigers" will be brought back from the past as the 347th Rescue Wing will be redesignated as the 23rd Wing during a ceremony here at 8:23 a.m. Sept. 29. Brig. Gen. Blair E. Hansen, vice commander of 9th Air Force at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., will preside over the redesignation ceremony

  • Air Force undertaking force transformation initiatives

    The Air Force has changed direction in its effort to fulfill its legal requirements to organize, train and equip a flying force. During the Air Force Association's 2006 Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition here Sept. 27, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley explained how

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Sept. 28

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Sept. 28.In Afghanistan Sept. 27, Navy F/A-18Fs provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Gilan. The following close-air support requests supported NATO forces operating as

  • Investigation continues into collision in Kyrgyzstan

    A safety investigation board has convened to determine the cause of a collision between a Kyrgyz TU-154 passenger plane and an Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker on the airfield at Manas International Airport Sept. 26. "Our primary concern was for the safety of the passengers and crew of both aircraft,"

  • Secretary, chief reiterate need for new tanker

    The Air Force must start buying new tankers now since it will take decades to replace its aging KC-135 Stratotankers, the Air Force secretary said. Air Force Secretary Michael W. Wynne said the service cannot buy its next fleet of tankers -- as yet to be determined -- any faster than the Air Force

  • Reductions necessary to recapitalize today's service

    Reducing the number of Airmen in the service is never easy business, but it's absolutely necessary to recapitalize today's service, said the Air Force's top personnel officer Sept. 26 at the annual Air Force Association's Air and Space Conference here. "This is a challenging time for all people in

  • Special operations mission grows on several fronts

    The commander of Air Force Special Operations Command spoke at the 2006 Air Force Association Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition here Sept. 26 about the importance and growth of special operation forces. "We're growing on a lot of different fronts," said Lt. Gen. Michael W.

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Sept. 27

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Sept. 27.In Afghanistan Sept. 26, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Mandagal Sufla. The following close-air support requests supported

  • AMC commander: Global mobility aircraft saving lives in Iraq

    Mobility aircraft in Iraq and Afghanistan are helping keep Soldiers, Airmen, Marines and Sailors out of harm's way. During the Air Force Association's 2006 Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition here Sept. 26, Gen. Duncan J. McNabb, Air Mobility Command commander, said C-130 Hercules

  • Japanese, U.S. Airmen share insights at tactics symposium

    Airmen from 5th Air Force here sponsored a tactics symposium Sept. 26 to 27, bringing together 30 representatives from the Japanese Air Self Defense Force and U.S. military components in Japan. A first of its kind, the event allowed captains and majors from operations-related specialties to discuss

  • Emergency services extinguish KC-135 fire

    Emergency services of the Manas International Airport and U.S. Air Force firefighters responded and extinguished a fire on a KC-135 Stratotanker on the airfield here Sept. 26. The three-member crew had just returned from an aerial-refueling mission when the incident occurred. The crew evacuated

  • 4th Corps Soldiers get lift from 386th AEW

    Pvt. 1st Class Michael Sirrine is on his first deployment but knows plenty about being in the desert. A native of Tuscon, Ariz., he noticed as soon as he arrived in Kuwait, "it's just like home, with less cactus." Before boarding an Air Force C-130 Hercules in early September for Balad, Iraq,

  • Instruments enhance space weather forecasts

    Improving the prediction of ionospheric-created disturbances is the aim behind two weeks of digging through 3 feet of snow, ice and slush in the tundra of Greenland by four members of the Air Force Research Laboratory Space Vehicles Directorate, with assistance from Danish

  • Secretary Wynne speaks at AFA conference

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne spoke to Air Force leaders and supporters Sept. 25 as part of the Air Force Association's 2006 Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition in Washington, D.C. The secretary addressed such challenges as the aging aircraft fleet, force-shaping

  • Sembach squadron maintains war reserves

    Airmen from the 435th Materiel Maintenance Squadron at Sembach Air Base, Germany, store, maintain, account and prepare an incredible amount of war reserve materiel needed to keep U.S. forces supplied. The materiel is stored at a massive central storage facility in Luxemburg, two collocated operating

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Sept. 26

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Sept. 26.In Afghanistan Sept. 25, Navy F/A-18Cs and Royal Air Force Harrier GR-7s provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Regah. The following close-air support requests

  • Dover AFB receives new maintenance trainer

    The Avionics Modernization Program, also known as AMP, is changing the way C-5 Galaxies are flown by streamlining the aircaft to emulate civilian aircraft.In addition to installing new communications and navigation panels, dials are being replaced with multi-function display units. These new AMP

  • Research office underwrites Indian workshop

    The Air Force Office of Scientific Research has agreed to underwrite an information assurance workshop planned by the Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate Jan. 12 in Bangalore, India. AFOSR's Asian Office of Aerospace Research and Development, with an initiative to increase

  • New system streamlines Air Force sustainment funding

    In an unprecedented move that will radically simplify and streamline the Air Force sustainment funding system, Air Force Materiel Command will become the Air Force executive agent for programming, budgeting and execution for many of the Air Force's sustainment needs beginning Oct. 1. Money

  • Liaison Aircraft Fly-In scheduled for Oct. 7-8

    More than 30 aircraft will fly to the National Museum of the United States Air Force Oct. 7 to 8 to participate in the first Liaison Aircraft Fly-in. The fly-in, scheduled 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 7 and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 8 on the turf runway behind the museum, is free and open to the public.

  • CENTAF releases airpower summaries for Sept. 23-25

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces have released the airpower summaries for Sept. 23 to 25.Sept. 23In Afghanistan Sept. 22, Navy F/A-18Fs conducted a strike against Taliban extremists near Lashkar Gah. The F/A-18Fs expended Guided Bomb Unit-12s on enemy targets. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and a B-1

  • Ramstein crew flies with Botswana into Darfur

    Ramstein Airmen flew with a Botswana C-130 Hercules crew to the Darfur region Sept. 23 and 24 to support the African Union peacekeeping mission. Two C-130 crewmembers from the 86th Operations Support Squadron, aerial porters from the 86th Air Mobility Squadron and a force protection specialist from

  • Airmen return home from Operation Iraqi Freedom

    More than 180 Airmen returned home to Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Sept. 23 from their deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. While deployed the men and women of the 728th Air Control Squadron controlled and monitored Iraqi airspace, assisted close air support missions and directed tanker

  • Aircraft swap helps maintain mission-ready capabilities

    The 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing here replaced its entire F-16 Fighting Falcon fleet this month with aircraft from throughout the U.S. The aircraft swap was necessary to maintain a "healthy" force and warfighting capability, said Maj. Leah Fry, 332nd Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron

  • F-16 pilot returns safely following in-flight incident

    An F-16 Fighting Falcon from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., jettisoned two external fuel tanks during a mechanical malfunction on takeoff at about 1:30 p.m. Sept. 21 on a homeland defense mission. The control tower noticed smoke coming from the fighter aircraft and reported it to the pilot who then

  • Emeril sponsors military-only cooking contest

    If you're currently a chef on active duty in the armed forces, TV cooking-show icon Emeril Lagasse wants your favorite recipe. Emeril is looking for a military chef who has the right recipe and knows how to use it.Any military chef who has a favorite dish can enter the first Military-Only Emeril

  • Airmen fly with Indian air force counterparts

    After several weeks of training with their Indian counterparts, Airmen from the 15th Airlift Wing got the chance to reverse their roles and fly with an Indian aircrew on their IL-76 medium range cargo jet. The aircrew's primary mission was to deliver members of the Indian army to Hawaii for a joint

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Sept. 22

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Sept. 22. In Afghanistan Sept. 21, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs, an MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle, Navy F/A-18 Hornets and Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers provided close air support for Coalition troops in

  • C-130 modernization program passes key milestone

    The first C-130 Avionics Modernization Program aircraft, designated H2, successfully completed its first flight Sept. 19 in San Antonio. The flight represented a key milestone in the most comprehensive C-130 avionics modernization effort to date. The C-130 AMP program is managed by the Aeronautical

  • U.S., Colombian governments work to to deter drug trafficking

    While there are thousands of Airmen deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan in support of the much publicized and deliberate war against terrorism, there is another group of Airmen deployed to Colombia as part of a separate and almost invisible war altogether. This war is combating illegal air trafficking.

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Sept. 21

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Sept. 21.In Afghanistan Sept. 20, an Air Force B-1 Lancer and U.S. Marine Corps AV-8Bs provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Asmar. The B-1 expended a Guided Bomb

  • Upgraded KC-135 Stratotankers integral to joint force

    The Air Force's KC-135 Stratotanker fleet celebrates 50 years this month of enhancing fighter, bomber and cargo aircraft missions. The multi-role tanker's primary mission is to refuel Air Force, sister service and coalition aircraft, but it also fills other jobs, including airlifting cargo,

  • Converted C-130s make flying, training, maintaining easier

    The C-130 Hercules getting upgraded avionics will give pilots better situational awareness, will be easier to schedule for missions and easier to maintain. The first of some 350 Air Force's C-130s to receive the avionics modernization program conversion -- which upgrades it with new digital displays

  • Power pros 'wire' Wake Island

    The damage assessment crews that deployed here from Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii eat a hot meal every night. They use laptop computers to compile data and generate reports, and sometimes, at the end of a particularly long day, they watch a DVD movie on a small television screen before going to bed.

  • C-130 AMP flies for first time

    A C-130 Hercules with a comprehensive avionics modification completed its maiden flight Sept. 19 from Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.The C-130 Avionics Modernization Program aircraft provides upgrades for C-130s.The aircraft's new avionics system features digital displays and the Boeing 737

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Sept. 20

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Sept. 20. In Afghanistan Sept. 20, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolts, a B-1 Lancer and Navy F/A-18F Hornets provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Tarin Kowt. The A-10s

  • Civil Air Patrol honored for hurricane relief contributions

    The Civil Air Patrol is scheduled to receive the prestigious Summit Award Sept. 20 for its Hurricanes Katrina and Rita disaster relief contributions. This is the highest award the American Society of Association Executives and the Center for Association Leadership's Associations Advance America

  • B-52 tests alternative jet engine fuel

    The Air Force accomplished another aviation first when a B-52 Stratofortress flew using an alternative fuel Sept. 19. The flight test involved running two of the bomber's engines on a synthetic fuel, made from a 50-50 blend of traditional crude oil-based fuel and a Fischer-Tropsch fuel derived from

  • Lajes Field prepares for Hurricane Gordon

    Airmen at Lajes Field, Azores, Portugal, are preparing for Hurricane Gordon, which forecasters predict will make landfall early Sept. 20. "Primarily we have been focusing on tracking the storm and trying to get as much information together and what the possible direct impact may be to our personnel

  • Illustrators draw on real-life experiences

    In this digital era, a group of distinguished illustrators still volunteer their time and talent to capturing the Air Force mission on canvas. "When you look at an oil painting, you are looking at the (artist's) original thinking," said Keith Ferris. "Digital images can be altered countless times

  • Air Force awards CRAF contracts worth $2.3 billion

    Headquarters Air Mobility Command has awarded its annual contracts that support the Civil Reserve Air Fleet program, worth $2.3 billion in fiscal 2007.Civilian airlines contractually commit to the CRAF to support Department of Defense airlift requirements in emergencies when the need for airlift

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Sept. 19

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Sept. 19.In Afghanistan Sept. 18, an Air Force B-1 Lancer, along with Royal Air Force Harrier GR-7s and French Air Force M-2000s provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near

  • Airman refueling transports on Air Force birthday

    Senior Airman Scott Roe will refuel aircraft on the Air Force's 59th birthday with little hope of eating the usual cake, ice cream and punch. The Airman, like others around the world, will report to work to fight or support the ongoing war on terrorism. This war -- like all the ones before -- is

  • Report: Pilot error caused B-1 crash

    Pilot error caused a B-1 Lancer to crash while landing on the runway at a forward-deployed location May 8, 2006, according to an aircraft accident investigation report released here Sept. 18. The co-pilot suffered a minor back injury and the other three crew members were not injured. Damage totaled

  • Airman checking munitions on Air Force birthday

    Senior Airman Robert Shelton has munitions on his plate on the Air Force's 59th birthday instead of the usual cake, ice cream and punch.Because for the past 15 years, he and other Airmen around the world will report to work to fight or support the ongoing war on terrorism. This war -- like all the

  • Eagles, Falcons face off in air exercise

    Eagles and Falcons, the Air Force's premier "birds of prey," are currently facing off here in a two-week air-to-air exercise called Sentry Aloha.F-15 Eagles from the Hawaii Air National Guard's 199th Fighter Squadron and F-16 Fighting Falcons from the Texas Air National Guard's 149th Fighter Wing

  • C-17 pilot on standby on Air Force birthday

    Capt. Carl Miller could be flying his transport aircraft instead of celebrating the Air Force's birthday with the cake, ice cream and punch.Because, like for the past 15 years, he and other Airmen around the world will report to work this day to fight or support the ongoing war on terrorism. This

  • Crew chief keeps B-1s flying on Air Force birthday

    Airman 1st Class Jonathan Termun is keeping B-1 Lancers flying on the Air Force's 59th birthday, with no time for cake, ice cream and punch. Because, like for the past 15 years, he and other Airmen around the world will report to work to fight or support the ongoing war on terrorism. This war --

  • Maintainers improving system through AFSO 21

    If you could reduce the number of steps an Airman in the 92nd Maintenance Squadron's Periodic Inspection Element has to climb every day, you could give him back a lot of time. It would also be an excellent example of Air Force Smart Operations 21 in action. Until recently, working inside the cargo

  • Air Force unveils new advertising campaign

    The Air Force unveiled an innovative television and online advertising campaign Sept. 18 aimed at giving teens and Internet users a realistic view of life in the military. The "Do Something Amazing" campaign debuts the same day the Air Force celebrates its 59th year as a service. It is also being

  • CENTAF releases airpower summaries for Sept. 16-18

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summaries for Sept. 16 through 18.Sept. 16In Afghanistan Sept. 15, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and a B-1 Lancer provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Khowst. Marine Corps AV-8Bs

  • Maintainer spends Air Force birthday on flightline

    The Air Force is 59 years old today. But Tech. Sgt. Tim Scheaffer will not have time to celebrate with the cake, ice cream and punch usually associated with birthdays. Instead, like for the past 15 years, he and other Airmen around the world will report to work to fight or support the ongoing war on

  • Spangdahlem F-16 was in controlled crash landing

    The F-16 Fighting Falcon that crashed near Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, had a landing gear problem that forced its pilot to do a controlled crash landing. The crash was not an accident, 52nd Fighter Wing commander Col. Darryl Roberson said. The colonel held a press conference Sept. 16 near the

  • Tigers give Falcons flight

    Like an experienced pit crew, the 332d Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron aircraft maintenance unit -- the Tiger -- keeps the F-16 Fighting Falcons of the 332d Expeditionary Fighter Squadron in top form. The crew chiefs, back shops and support Airmen in the Tiger aircraft maintenance

  • 'Bone' makes evolving mark on war on terrorism

    It can strike at a moment's notice. It is a lethal injection for the war on terrorism. It is a combat commander' s weapon of choice. The B-1B Lancer, sometimes called the "Bone," has made a name for itself for nearly 20 years and continues to make its mark in the fight for freedom. Since the war

  • Officials provide update on F-16 crash

    Officials at the 52nd Fighter Wing here have released additional information about the crash of the F-16 Fighting Falcon near the town of Oberkail, Germany, Sept. 14.The F-16 pilot, 1st Lt. Trevor Merrell, 28, from the 22nd Fighter Squadron at Spangdahlem AB, ejected safely from the

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Sept. 15

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Sept. 15.In Afghanistan yesterday, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Oruzgan. An Air Force B-1 Lancer provided close-air support for

  • Maj. Jill Metzger arrives home

    The Air Force officer found alive and in good condition after disappearing in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, arrived at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., Sept. 14 at approximately 6 p.m. EDT on an Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft. Maj. Jill Metzger was deployed to Manas Air Base as part of an Air

  • Dover AFB readies for arrival of C-17s

    Distinguished visitors from around the state gathered together with members of the Dover Air Force Base community Sept. 11 to celebrate the groundbreaking of a new C-17 training facility and the arrival of C-17 Globemaster III aircraft to Dover. The ceremony was a celebration of nearly a decade of

  • 'Reaper' moniker given to MQ-9 unmanned aerial vehicle

    The Air Force chief of staff announced "Reaper" has been chosen as the name for the MQ-9 unmanned aerial vehicle. The Air Force is the Department of Defense's executive agent for designating and naming military aerospace vehicles. In the case of the Reaper, Gen. T. Michael Moseley made the final

  • Spangdahlem F-16 crashes

    A 22nd Fighter Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed at 1 p.m. local time Sept. 14 near the town of Oberkail, about 10 miles north of this busy fighter base. The pilot ejected safely and is in good condition, said Staff Sgt. Tammie Moore, a spokesperson for the 52nd Fighter Wing. The aircraft was on

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Sept. 14

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Sept. 14.In Afghanistan Sept. 13, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolts provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Oruzgan. The following close-air support requests supported NATO

  • Andersen team prepares Wake Island for aircraft

    After Super Typhoon Ioke's 155 mph winds and driving storm surge devastated Wake Island Aug. 31, members of the 36th Contingency Response Group at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, made up the initial assessment team sent to the island. "Prior to the storm the experts were all saying there would be no

  • Business changes dramatically for air operations center

    The way business is done has dramatically changed at the 1st Air Force Air Operations Center here.Five years after 9/11, the AOC, which is responsible for U.S. air defense, has made serious networking and communications upgrades to improve their processes. "Our mission is to watch all the aircraft

  • Teams fly to Wake Island to assess damage

    A 53-person team of 15th Airlift Wing Airmen, Defense Department employees and contractors arrived here Sept. 12 on a C-17 Globemaster III from Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. The team of civil engineers and communications experts came to assess damage caused by Super Typhoon Ioke and report the

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Sept. 13

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Sept. 13.In Afghanistan Sept. 12, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Kandahar. The aircraft expended Guided Bomb Unit-12s and cannon

  • Tight fit for GM-3 will save $360K per flight

    Members of the 4th Space Operations Squadron here successfully loaded their Ground Mobile-3 vehicle onto a C-17 Globemaster III Sept. 10, proving a concept that will save the Air Force more than $360,000 each time the GM-3 deploys. In addition, C-17s are easier to procure and have a greater

  • Spangdahlem Airmen return home

    About 250 Spangdahlem Airmen returned home Sept. 9 to their families and friends after a deployment to Southwest Asia. "Since 9/11, a lot of Americans have been serving and sacrificing; these are the latest," said Col. Darryl Roberson, 52nd Fighter Wing commander. "The families and children here

  • Airman celebrates different KC-135 anniversary

    As people here join in the base's 50th anniversary celebration of the KC-135 Stratotanker, many are reminiscing about their own experiences with the aircraft. Few have a story like Chief Master Sgt. Steven and Justine Robinson.Fifteen years ago, they married on a KC-135 somewhere over Indiana. Both

  • Missouri Air National Guard gets sneak preview of B-2

    Missouri Air National Guard Airmen got a peek at a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber when it visited the 131st Fighter Wing here Sept. 9. Col. Greg Biscone, 509th Bomb Wing commander, piloted the B-2 from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., to St. Louis. It gave the Missouri Guardsmen an opportunity to see the

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Sept. 12

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Sept. 12. In Afghanistan Sept. 11, an Air Force B-1 Lancer conducted a precision strike against Taliban extremist fighting positions and a mortar position in the vicinity of Asadabad. The B-1 expended Guided Bomb

  • Five years later Airmen remember 9/11, continue the fight

    Sept. 11, 2001, is a day no American will ever forget, and Airmen serving around the world took time this Patriots Day to reflect on events just five years ago.Flags flew at half-staff and Airmen observed moments of silence around the world to commemorate the solemn anniversary. Coalition forces and

  • Officials announce T-3A Firefly final disposition

    Nearly a decade after the Air Force stood down the T-3A Firefly fleet following three fatal accidents, Air Force officials made a final disposition decision to salvage the aircraft in place. Base officials here announced the selection of TOTALL Metal Recycling Inc., of Granite City, Ill., to handle

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Sept. 10-11

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Sept. 10.Sept. 10In Afghanistan Sept. 9, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs, a B-1 Lancer, MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicles, Navy FA-18 Hornets and Royal Air Force Harrier GR-7s provided close-air support for

  • USAFE sets course with AFSO 21

    To best meet the challenges of the road ahead, the U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander assembled leaders throughout the command here to initiate USAFE-wide implementation of Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century. "We're going to determine where we're going in the future, and AFSO 21 will

  • Civic leaders, media help celebrate KC-135's 50th anniversary

    A group of 40 Spokane business people helped commemorate the 50th birthday of the Air Force's primary refueling aircraft here Sept. 6.The Boeing Company debuted the KC-135 Stratotanker in August 1956, and it was delivered to the Air Force a year later. The aircraft has supported armed conflict and

  • Puerto Rico ANG C-130s in war zone for first time

    The Puerto Rico Air National Guard's 156th Airlift Wing deployed here Sept. 8 -- the first time in a war zone in the unit's C-130 Hercules.A few members of the uinit have been deployed to other regions of the world, such as to Bosnia, but they had never deployed as a unit to a war zone until

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Sept. 9

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Sept. 9. In Afghanistan Sept. 8, Navy FA-18 Hornets and Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists in the vicinity of Kandahar . The FA-18s expended

  • Charleston C-17 squadron completes deployment

    The first full-squadron deployment of C-17 Globemaster III aircrews and leaders at Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., came to a close Sept. 1.Lt. Col. Ricky Rupp assumed command of the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron from Lt. Col. Lenny Richoux, both from the 437th Airlift Wing at Charleston

  • Letter to Airmen urges energy conservation

    In the latest Letter to Airmen, Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne recognizes the Air Force commitment to energy conservation. "As the largest user of energy in the DOD, the Air Force has developed a two-pronged energy strategy to attack this problem. This strategy of assured domestic

  • Researchers aim to enhance air vehicle systems

    Air Force Office of Scientific Research officials here recently awarded the University of Washington and three partner universities a grant worth approximately $6 million over five years to study the design of air vehicles capable of collecting and storing solar and heat energies. The

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Sept. 8

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Sept. 8. In Afghanistan Sept. 7, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided close-air support to coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Kandahar. The A-10s conducted passes, expending cannon rounds and

  • Air Force Research Lab names 2006 fellows

    Air Force Research Laboratory officials are honoring seven scientists and engineers as new fellows during an annual awards banquet Sept. 19 at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. Designed to recognize and reward AFRL's most outstanding in-house scientists and engineers, the fellows